Strapping device and method



May 2, 1961 v. ENGLAND STRAPPING DEVICE AND METHOD Filed April 21, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. VICTOR ENGLAND BY g 4 M M A TTO/PNE VS May 2, 1961 v. ENGLAND 2,932,069

STRAPPING DEVICE AND METHOD Filed April 21, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

A TTOP/VEJ S VICTOR ENGLAND May 2, 1961 v. ENGLAND 2,982,069

STRAPPING DEVICE AND METHOD Filed April 21, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. V/CTOR ENGLAND )gw Mada/7W ATTOPNE V S United States 1? 2,982,069 STRAPPING DEVICE AND METHOD Victor England, 420 Market St., San Francisco, Calif.

Filed Apr. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 729,692

9 Claims. (Cl. 53-198) This invention relates to a strapping device in the form of a strap stretcher and strap connector or sealer, and to the method of strapping an article, whether the latter be in the form of a container or a bundle of objects.

Heretofore the practice of stretching a metal strap around an article and connecting the end portions thereof after it has been so stretched is old, and the. connection between the end portions has usually been effected by crimping or distorting the lapped, engaged end portions, or in clipping such end portions together with a clip of some kind, or, more rarely, in spot welding such end portions together at a pointor points spaced from the free end edges of the strap. Machines have been devised for accomplishing these results, and usually the article-enclosing portion of the strap is drawn from a roll of metal strap, which is severed from the roll at the lapping end portions. Normally the tensioned overlapping end portion of the article-enclosing strap is crimped, clipped, or otherwise secured to the underlying end portion, the latter being the portion adjacent to the article, and after the end portions have been secured together the tightener is released.

The objections to the above described method are, that i the metal straps themselves will cut into the article about vision of a method of strapping an article with a fibrous strap that requires no clips, nor crimping, and which method includes the step of adhesively sealing the overlying end portion of the strap to the portion therebelow.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of strapping that includes the formation of the strap to provide grooves and ridges extending longitudinally thereof, and in the step of forcing the ridges on the overlapping end portion, which may be untensioned, into the grooves on the underlying end portion, and adhering said lapping portions together under a pressure of over 1000 lbs. per square inch thereby providing a considerably stronger seal than would be effected were the strap merely fiatand also producing a connec- 2,982,069 Patented May 2, 1961 loose end snagging on other objects and thereby injuring other articles as well as tending to separate the lapped ends upon said terminating end encountering some object.

An added object is the provision of a device for stretching a fibrous strap and adherently securing together the lapped end portions of such strap, and which device is portable, light in weight, economical to make, rugged, and that can be rapidly and easily operated by a relatively inexperienced operator, and which device is adaptable to the step of either heat sealing together fibrous end portions havinga thermoplastic surface or impregnated with such thermoplastic, or in gluing such end portions together.

Other objects and advantages will be obvious from the description and drawings.

In the drawings, I

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device for stretching the strap and for connecting its end portions, including ashear for cutting the strap from a roll thereof.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 1 showing a strap around an article with the tightener and sealer in position preparatory to cutting the overlying portion of the strap from a roll (not shown) thereof and sealing the lapped end portions.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the device of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line 44 of Fig. 2. v

Fig. 5 is an elevational view similar to that of Fig. 3 except that the clamping jaws illustrated therein are closed on the lapping end portions of a strap. Said end portions are shown in cross section.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing the glue discharge structure, relative to the clamping jaws, as seen from line 6-6 of Fig. 1, the upper jaw-in this instance not including the heating element that is shownin Fig. 1. In this respect Fig. 6 is a modification of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 7 is a view of the portion shown in Fig. 6, as seen from line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view through the adherently connected end portions of the article enclosing strap.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an article enclosed by a fibrous strap that has been applied by the method here- 7 inafter described.

tion in which the lapping end portions cannot slip laterto prevent relative lateral movement between the lapped ends in a direction transversely of the strap, andin which the outer of the overlapped ends is adherently secured .to the underlying portion up to the terminating end edge of the overlapped "end so there is no possibility of a In the following detailed description and in the claims it should be noted that the term end portions, used with reference to an article-enclosing strap, refers to the lapping portions that are sealed together or that will remain on the article after the strap has been severed from a roll thereof, irrespective of whether such strap actually has been so severed. Also, the use of the word article" in referring to the material about which the strap is tightened, may mean a bundle of objects, or a single object.

In detail, in the present system, the strap itself is generally indicated at 1 (Figs. 2, 9) and is preferably formed from a plurality of twisted paper cords 2 (Fig. 8) that are adhered together in parallel side by side relation. The width of the strap is determined mainly by the number of cords used, for example, a thirteen cord strap may be between one-half and one inch in width, although the width may also vary with the diameters of the cords.

The cords in such a strap form ridges on opposite sides of the latter, with grooves 3 between them (Fig. 8) and this feature is important, ,as will later appear. It may however, be stated that the cords 2 in themselves are old andare formed in the usual manner for forming cords of paper, and they are preferably coated with an adhesive that adherently secures them together when they they are brought to parallel, side by side engaging relation. Of course the complete outer surfaces of the strap will be covered by such adhesive, since they are drawn therethrough before being positioned in parallel side by side relation, and said adhesive is of the waterproof type, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and to which a polyvinyl acetate niay' be added if desired, or if the lapping ends of the strap are to be heat sealed together. The cord used most commonly in the present invention has a tensile strength of substantially fifteen pounds, hence a thirteen cord strap would have a tensile strength of approximately two hundred pounds, and a twenty cord strap would have a tensile strength of approximately three hundred pounds, and any other desired strength can be provided by adding or subtracting cords.

Such a strap, being quite flexible, and of paper, will not be weakened at the corners of an article when stretched, as is the case of metal strapping, and will more readily tighten about an article, particularly those having severe bends at edges or corners thereof, and the present strap has rounded longitudinally extending edges, so they will not cut into the article enclosed by the strap, nor will they cut the hands of a person, and the strap is easily severed from a roll and can be readily burned when removed from an article.

The apparatus for tightening and for sealing together the lapped end portions thereof comprises a horizontal base plate 5 (Fig. 2) that may. include, rigid therewith, a base mounting the working elements of the tightener.

The strap tightener part of the device is of the rotary type having a horizontal roller 7 (Fig. 2) secured on a shaft 8, which shaft, in turn, is rotatably supported in bearings 9, 10 (Fig. 1). The outer peripheral surface of roller 7 is knurled to frictionally grip the upper surface of the upper end portion 11 (Fig. 2) of strap 1, which upper end portion overlaps the lower end portion 12 of sald strap. The base 5 carries, rigid therewith, an upstanding projection 13 that is directly below roller 7, and the upper surface of this projection may be rough ened in any suitable manner to frictionally engage the lower surface of the lower end portion 12 of said strap 1.

Bearings 9, 10 are pivotally connected by a horizontal pivot 14 to ears on base 5 for swinging roller 7 upwardly, and an expansion coil spring 15 is interposed, under compression, between a portion of base 5 and an arm 16 pro ecting from and integral with bearing 9 to yieldably urge roller 7 toward the projection 13 on base 5. A suitable stop 6 on base 5 engages bearing 9 to prevent roller 7 from engaging projection 13.

A ratchet wheel 17 is secured on shaft 8 in a position between bearings 9, 10, and this wheel 17 is also between the opposed sides of a fork on the inner end of a laterally projecting arm 18. The forked end of said arm curves downwardly, as seen in Fig. 2 and the shaft .8 rotatably extends through the same. A pawl 19, pivoted on arm 18 at 20, is spring urged at its lower end toward ratchet wheel 17 for engaging the teeth of said wheel to turn the latter clockwise, as seen in Fig. 2 upon downward movement of arm 18, and which pawl yieldably passes over said teeth upon upward movement of arm 18. A second pawl 21 (Fig. l) is spring urged to engage the teeth on wheel 17 for preventing counterclockwise movement of said wheel when the arm 18 is lifted, but pawl 21 yieldably passes over the teeth when the ratchet wheel is rotated clockwise.

The numeral 21' in Fig. 2 designates a portion of pawl 19 that projects from the right hand or rear side (as seen in Fig. 2) of the forked end of arm 18 at a point below pivot 20, and said pawl 19 also has an upward extension 22 above pivot 20 projecting above arm 18. This extension 22 enables the pawl 19 to be manually released from engagement with the ratchet wheel 17 upon moving said extension 22 forwardly or in a direction to "the left as seen in Fig. 2.

The rearward projection 21 of pawl 19 is adapted to engage the forward end of a handle 23 to hold the. arm

18 in the position shown in Fig. 2. However, upon putting a downward pressure on arm 18, when it is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the bearings 9, 10 will be moved upwardly against the tension of spring 15 so as to space roller 7 a sufficient distance above the projection 13 to slide the lapped end portions 11, 12 of strap 1 to a position between roller 7 and projection 13. After said lapped end portions are between said roller 7 and projection 13, a release of arm 18 will result in spring 15 tightly urging roller 7 into engagement with the upper end portion 11 and in urging the two portions 11, 12 together with the lower portion 12 tight against the projection 13.

Upon oscillating arm '18 vertically, the roller 7 will be intermittently rotated clockwise (in Fig. 2) to move the upper end portion 11 of strap 1 to the left in a tightening direction, while projection 13 will hold the lower end portion -12 against movement with said upper end portion.

Also rigid With base 5, and preferably removably secured thereto by screws 25 extending through base plate 5, is the sealing device for sealing the lapping ends of the strap 1 together at a point beyond the roller 7 to the left, as seen in Fig. 2.

It should be noted that the tightener arm 18 extends longitudinally of the strap 1, and sufficiently near to being above the strap 1 that there is no tendency toward tipping the tightener to one side or the other in a tightening operation.

The sealing device comprises an upper rectangular clamping jaw 26 and a lower rectangular clamping jaw 27 therebelow. The lower jaw 27 is rigid with base 5 and is also rigid with a lower plier type handle 28 projecting laterally from the strap 1 and in a vertical plane that is at right angles to the vertical plane in which the arm 18 is positioned.

Said lower jaw is positioned ahead of the roller 7 so that the upper end portion 11 of strap 1 that is moved past the roller 7 will be positioned over said jaw 27, and in this position the underlying portion 12 also will extend across the upper surface of jaw 27, and against the latter.

Upper jaw 26 is releasably bolted to an extension 30 of said jaw by means of a bolt 31, and this extension 30, in turn is pivotally connected with the lower jaw 27 by a pivot 32. Toggle links 33, 34 are respectively pivotally connected with the extension 36 and with lower handle 28 by pivots 35, 36, and are connected to each other by a pivot 37. An upper handle 38 is rigid with the link 33 in extension thereof and is over handle 28. Link 34 is formed in two sections adjustably connected by a threaded sleeve 39 for extending or for shortening the link 34 to thereby regulate the stroke of handle 33 and also the point at which pivot 37 will cross a line between the centers of pivots 35, 36 so as to hold the jaws, at a predetermined point, under the compression stroke of handle 38.

A cam 40 pivotally connected with handle 38 at 41 has a finger actuatable extension 42 thereon. This cam is adapted to engage the link 40 upon swinging the extension 42 to the right as seen in Fig. 5 so as to force the handle 38 upwardly and to thereby release the handle for upward movement, and for separation of the jaws 26, 27.

Secured to the lower jaw 27 and rigid therewith is a combination strap spacer and rigid shear blade 43. The upper edge 44 of said blade is almost square, but is slightly inclined downwardly transversely thereof, in a direction away from roller 8 (Fig. 7). Also, the blade itself may be slightly inclined at its upper edge in a direction toward the roller 7. This shear blade 43 is at the side of jaw 27 that is remote from the roller 7, and its lower edge is spaced above the level of the upper side of jaw-27, and is inclined downwardly toward said lower jaw from its outer end. The said outer end of adhesive from the nozzle.

the lower shear blade 43 is at the side of the jaws 26, 27 oppositeto the handles '28, 38 and projects laterally outwardly of the open side of the jaws, and the upper shearing edge of the blade is preferably horizontal and spaced below the lower surface of jaw 26 when the latter is fully open (Fig. 4). Thus the upper end portion 11 of strap 1 will lie across the upper edge 44 of the stationary shear blade 43 while the lower end portion will be on the lower jaw 27 and below the shear blade. This will result in the blade 43 spacing said end portions 11, 12 apart where they extend across the space between jaws 26, 27. The projecting outer end of blade 43, which comes to a point, facilitates guiding portions 11, 12 of the strap between jaws 26, 27 as well as spacing said portions.

As has been already stated, the upper jaw 26 is preferably rectangular, and its straight edge 46 (Fig. 7) that is-adjacent to the shear blade 43 extends slantingly upwardly relative to the edge 44 of saidblade 43 and in shearing engagement with the inner corner of said edge 44 that is adjacent to jaw 26. The said edge 46 of jaw 26 is also slightly slanted transversely thereof as seen in Fig. 71so that a proper shearing olf of the upper portion 11 of strap 1 where it extends to a roll (not shown) will occur upon jaw 26 being swung downwardly. This shearing action will, of course, occur simultaneously with the movement of the upper end portion 11 downwardly toward end portion '12 under the influence of the downward movement of the upper jaw.

Provision for injecting glue into the space between the end portions '11, 12 of the strap 1 that are between jaws 26, 27 is in the form of a glue injecting nozzle 48 (Fig. 6). This nozzle is an elongated pipe of brass or of any other suitable relatively rigid material, and it extends through a block 49 that, in turn, is pivoted at 50 to a bracket 51. Bracket 51 is rigid with the lower end of the rigid arm 28. This bracket may be removably secured to arm 28 by screws 52. 'The upper end of pipe or nozzle 48 projects above block 49 and may extend into one end of a flexible tube 53. The other end of tube 53 (Fig. 2) connects with the discharge end of a conventional pump within a glue pot 54, which pump is'actuated by a handle 55 operably connected with the pump plunger 56 of the pump, so that a downward stroke of handle 55 will result in the discharge of a charge of The said plunger 56 may be spring urged upwardly in the usual manner for holding handle 55 elevated, and for automatically returning the handle to its elevated position after each downward stroke thereof. Pot 54 is releasably secured in any suitable manner on the base 5.

As best seen in Fig. 6 the nozzle 48 is inclined so as to extend into the space between the upper and lower end portions 11, 12 of strap 1, and to a point about centrally over the lower jaw 27, so that a charge of the glue, upondownward actuation of handle 55, will be deposited about midway between the longitudinally extending edges of the lower portion 12 and at a point about centrally of the lower jaw 27. a

In the form of the invention as seen in the views (except Figs. 6, 7) the upper jaw 26 is formed with a recess adapted to receive a conventional electric heating element 57 that, in turn, is adapted to be connected with an electrical cord in an electrical circuit, so that the upper jaw may be heated. r '5 The jaw shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is merely substituted for jaw 26, which substitution is quickly effected upon removal of bolt 31,and the same numbers will be used except for the jaw. a a

i In view of the difference between these jaws, the upper'jawfin Figs. 6, 7 willbe designated 58. Either jaw 26 01-58 will function exactly the same insofar as sealing the end portions 11, 12 together by use of adhesive from the glue pot 54. Of course, when this glue is used the heating elementis-not used. The coaction between'the 6 upper jaws 26 or 58 and nozzle 48 are the same, so thefollowing description of the operation that is related to the arrangement shown in Figs. 6, 7 applies to the other form.

A torsion spring 59 extends around the outwardly projecting end of pivot 50 (which pivot supports the block 49 that carries nozzle 48) and one arm of said spring extends against nozzle 48 to yieldably urge it against the rear edge of the upper jaw 58 (or 26), while the other arm of said spring is held by one of the bracket securing screws 52.

a In operation, after the end portions 11, 12 are positioned between roller 7 and the projection 13, and after said end portions are spaced apart by the stationary shear blade 43 with said end portions disposed between the upper and lower jaws 26 (or 58) and 27, the discharge end of nozzle 48 will be in the position most clearly, seen in Figs. 6 and 7. The operator will then tighten the strap by oscillating the arm 18, which operation will tighten that portion that extends around the article 59 (Fig. 2) to the point where the roller 7 and projection 13 engage said strap. The upper end portion 11 will not be tensioned. As soon as the strap has been tightened to a sufiicient degree, the operator will move the pump arm 55 downwardly. This arm is accessible to the hand that grasps the handles 28, 38 hence may be quickly actuated, and a charge of the glue will be deposited on the lower end portion 27 at a point about centrally over the lower jaw 27. The operator will then squeeze the handles 28, 38, plierlike, in the hand, to move handle 38 toward handle 28 and. to swing the upper jaw 58 (or 26) toward the lower jaw 27. This will result in shearing ofi the upper end portion 11 by the shear blades 43, 58 (or 26) since the upper jaw 58 (or 26) constitutes one of the shear blades. This will form a free end edge on the upper end portionll of strap 1 that is exactly in register with the adjacent corresponding edges of the upper and lower jaws.

The continued downward movement of the upper handle 38, and upper jaw 58 (or 26) will bring the end portions of the strap ltogether, and since the upper end portion is not under tension, it will automatically adjust its position on the lower end portion 12 so that the ridges in its lower surface will enter the grooves in the upper, surface of the lower portion 12 as seen in Fig. 8. Further urging of upper handle 38 downwardly will place the lapping end portions 11, 12 under a compressive force of over 1000 lbs. per square inch, thus spreading the glue over the entire area of the end portions that are between the jaws, and driving the glue into any interstices in the fibrous material of the strap. This glue will spread to the severed end edge of the upper portion 11 so that upon release of the jaws the upper portion 11 will be firmly secured to the lower portion 12 up to said free edge and there will be no chance of the upper portion snagging on anything or peeling away from the lower portion due to the upper portion not being secured to the lower portion up to the-free end edge of the former.

The clamping jaws can immediately be released as soon as the upper jaw has moved downwardly a sufiicient distance so that pivot 37 has crossed a straight line between the centers of pivots 35, 36. This last action insures a uniform pressure on the lapped ends with each operation, and the high pressure developed of over one thousand lbs. and 1500 lbs. per square inch, is important to assure the desired results. The lapping straps are also readily released, after the release of the jaws, by forcing handle 18 downwardly to elevate roller .7. When the tape is coated with a polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol, the glue pot and glue nozzle may be omitted, and the lapping ends will be heat sealed together by heat transmitted fromthe heating elementin the upper jaw 26; a

"It is to be noted that the handle 23 that is below the arm 18 projects a substantial distance below the arm 18,-

andbase also extends below handle 23. This handle enables the operator to readily carry the tightener and sealer in one hand, and as the entire device is quite light in weight, it can be easily carried to any point and operated in dilferent positions, which is a-great advantage over the relatively large and complicated. devices employed for tightening and sealing steel straps.

Insofar as the tightener mechanism, in itself, is concerned, no claim is made thereto. The principle used in the tightener itself is old in metal strap tighteners.

It is to be understood that the invention as illustrated and described is a preferred form, and it may be constructed in various other embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claims.

In this connection it should be noted that in the form shown in Fig. 6, a spring 60 connects between the handle 28 and the rear portion of part 30 to elevate the clamping jaw when it is released.

An added feature is the adjustable limit stop 63 that is common to all forms of the invention. This stop is adjustably secured to the upper handle 38 by a screw 64 for movement toward and away from the portion 30 of the upper jaw so as to abut the said portion when the upper handle is swung upwardly, thereby limiting the de-- gree to which the upper handle will swing in direction away from the lower handle. This is important for the reason that some persons cannot grip both handles if they swing too far apart. Screw 64 extends through a slot 65 (Fig. 7) in the stop 63 to hold the latter in adjusted position. Obviously this stop may be modified, but it preferably functions in the manner and in the place described.

The fact that the present device is readily adapted for use on straps of varying widths is an advantage. The curved nozzle 48 is preferably of brass or copper or any other easily bendable material. Hence if a wider strap is employed than is shown in Fig. 6, the nozzle can readily be given a slightly greater bend to deposit the glue nearer to the center of the strap or it can be bent in the other direction if desired. This adaptability of the same sealer for different width straps is further shown by the fact that the stroke of the handle 55 of the glue pot is adjustable. As best seen in Fig. 3, a bracket 67 is secured to the side of the pot below the handle, and this bracket has a horizontal arm through which a vertically extending adjusting screw 68 extends. The degree to which this screw is moved in one direction or the other determines the stroke of the pump handle 55. For a wider strap a greater amount of glue will be required, hence the screw will be lowered to permit a longer stroke of the handle. For a narrower strap, the screw will be elevated, and a shorter stroke will be effected, with correspondingly less glue.

The strap itself has been described as being one in which the strands are held together by the same water resistant adhesive thermoplastic material that coats the strap. In fact the coating and securing together of the strands is in the same operation. Where the heating element is used, it is important to note that it is preferably carried by the upper jaw, rather than by the lower jaw, hence the heat will not be as readily conducted to the other portions of the apparatus, such as the base. This is desirable for the reason that the base is tight against the object that is being strapped, and it should be relatively cool.

The removability of the sealer from the tightener enables the user to efiect several heat seals along an extra long lap of the end portions, if desired. In such circumstances, the first seal is effected by spacing the lapped ends at the terminating end of the upper portion with the spacer or shear blade 43 so that the upper strap will be severed at a point relatively far removed from the tightener, and by then sliding the sealer toward. the tightener, additional seals can be efiected, at spaced points, or adjoining areas.

Where both methods (heat sealing and glue sealing) are employed in different places by using the samedevice at difierent times, the user may readily detach the glue mechanism, if desired, including theglue pot and nozzle, although these will not interferewith the heat sealing method. Where only glue sealing isdone, it is obvious that the upper jaw of Fig. 6 may be substituted for the jaw that carries the heating element, and since jaw 58 is not as thick as one that uses a heating element, the stop 63 will usually require readjustment to compensate for the additional stroke of the handle 38 that would otherwise be required.

Irrespective of whether the heat sealing or glue method is employed, the shearing edge 44 of the shear blade 43 is preferably serrated to prevent any likelihood of slippage of the upper strap in severing it. By transversely milling the upper surface of the shear blade with small, adjoining V-shaped cuts, such serrations or teeth will be readily formed.

As best seen in Fig. 9, after a sealing operation is concluded, whether glue is used, or whether the end portions of the strap are secured together by heat sealing, the said upper portion 11 will be secured to the lower portion 12 up to the terminating end edge 70 of upper portion 11, which positively prevents any catching of said portion 11 on other objects which would tend to tear the upper portion loose from the lower portion.

I claim:

1. In a strap stretching device for stretching a fibrous strap taut about an article enclosed by said strap, said device including, in combination, a pair of clamping jaws disposed one above the other and pivotally connected for relative movement toward and away from each other, a rotary strap tightener adjacent to one side of said clamping jaws adapted to engage overlapping end portions of such fibrous strap therebetween for moving the upper of such pair of end portions relative to the other longitudinally of the strap to tighten the latter around such article, supporting means for supporting said pair of jaws and said tightener stationary relative to each other with said jaws in a position adapted to receive therebetween the upper end portion of said strap that is moved past said tightener in a tightening operation and the portion of the article enclosing strap thcrebelow, shear means connected with said jaws for movement therewith for shearing on such upper end portion of said strap at the side of said jaws remote from said tightener upon relative movement of said jaws toward each other when said end portion and the portion of the strap therebelow are between said jaws, and means for moving said jaws relatively into tight clamping relation with the portions of said straps that are so adapted to be positioned between said jaws after said upper end portion has been so sheared oil, a glue discharge nozzle supported for movement to and from a position between said jaws for depositing glue between the portions of said strap adapted to be clamped between said jaws when said portions are between said aws.

2. In a strap stretching device for stretching a fibrous strap taut about an article enclosed by said strap, said device including, in combination, a pair of clamping jaws disposed one above the other and pivotally connected for relative movement toward and away from each other, a rotary strap tightener adjacent to one side of said clamping jaws adapted to engage overlapping end portions of such fibrous strap therebetween for moving the upper of such pair of end portions relative to the other longitudinally of the strap to tighten the latter around such article, supporting means for supporting said pair of jaws and said tightener stationary relative to each other with said jaws in a position adapted to receive therebetween the upper end portion of said strap that is moved past:

said tightener in a tightening operation and the portion:

of the article enclosing strap therebelow, shear means connected with said jaws for movement therewith for shearing ofi such upper end portion of said strap at the side of said jaws remote from said tightener upon relative movement of said jaws toward each other when said end portion and the portion of the strap therebelow are between said jaws, and'means'for moving said jaws relatively into tight clam-ping relation with the portions of said straps that are so adapted to be positioned between said jaws after said upper end portion has been so sheared ed, a glue discharge nozzle supported for movement to and from a position between said jaws for depositing glue between the portions of said strap adapted to be clamped between said.

jaws when said portions are between said jaws, a container for glue connected with said nozzle and secured to said supporting means adjacent to said pair of jaws, handles connected with said jaws for manually moving them relatively toward each other and means on said containeraccessible to the hand of an operator on said handles actuatable for ejecting glue from said container and nozzle.

3. In a strap stretching device for stretching a fibrous strap taut about an article enclosed by said strap, said device including, in combination; a horizontal base plate, a pair of jaws disposed one above the other providing an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said lower jaw being rigid with said plate and means pivotally securing said upper jaw to said lower jaw for generally vertical oscillatory movement toward and away from said lower jaw for 'receiving' therebetween a pair of vertically spaced superposed strap portions of such fibrous strap in lapping relation when said jaws are moved apart and for tightlyforcingsuch portions together when said jaws are moved together, a pair of manually graspable handles respectively operatively connected with said upper jaw and with said lower jaw and actuatable upon-manually gripping said handles for moving said upper jaw toward said lower jaw to so clamp such strap portions, a lower shear plate rigid with said lower jaw and with said base plate positioned adjacent to one side of said pair of jaws and having an upper shearing edge over which the upper of such strap portions is adapted to be positioned and having a lower edge below which the lower of such strap portions is adapted to be positioned when said strap portions are between said jaws in said superposed lapping relation, an upper shear plate rigid with said upper jaw for downward movement therewith having a lower shearing edge cooperatively positioned relative to the upper edge of said lower'shear plate to shear off the upper of such strap portions adapted to extend between said upper and said lower shear plates, and a glue discharge nozzle connected with a source of glue supported for movement into and out of the space between said jaws and between the strap portions adapted to be so positioned between said jaws for depositing glue between such portions, and nozzle supporting means so supporting said nozzle for said movement thereof.

4. In a strap stretching device for stretching a fibrous strap taut about an article enclosed by said strap, said device including, in combination; a horizontal base plate, a pair of jaws disposed one above the other providing an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said lower jaw being rigid with said plate and means pivotally securing said upper jaw to said lower jaw for generally vertical oscillatory movement toward and away from said lower jaw for receiving therebetween a pair of vertically spaced superposed strap portions of such'fibrous strap in lapping relation when said jaws are moved apart and for tightly forcing such portions together when said jaws are moved together, a pair of manually graspable handles respectively opera- 10 said lower jaw and with said base plate positioned adjacent to one side of said pair of jaws and having an upper shearing edge over which the upper of such strap portions is adapted to be positioned and having a lower edge below which the lower of such strap portions is adapted to be positioned when said strap portions are between said jaws in said superposed lapping relation, an upper shear plate rigid with said upper jaw for downward movement therewith having a lower shearing edge cooperatively positioned relative to the upper edge of said lower shear plate to shear 0E the upper of such strap portions adapted to extend between said upper and said lower shear plates,

and a glue discharge nozzle connected with a source of its position between said jaws to a position at one side of a said jaws, and yieldable means connected with said nozzle for automatically moving it between said jaws and said strap portions when said jaws are moved apart and said strap portions are spaced apart by said lower shear plate.

5. In a strap tightener, the combination of; a strap tightener for drawing a fibrous strap about an article in article enclosing relation with end portions of such strap when the latter is so tightened in superposed lapping relation, means for severing the upper of such end portions and for securing the part of such end portion adjacent to the line of severance thereof to the lower end portion therebelow comprising, a pair of plier type clamping jaws disposed one above the other with the upper jaw of said pair supported for movement toward and away from said lower jaw and free from obstruction at one of the sides of said jaws for moving such superposed strap portions laterally between said jaws and in direction transversely of said portions when the latter are moved apart, shear means at one side of said jaws for shearing the upper of the strap portions adapted to be positioned; between said'jaws for shearing off said upper portion, a glue discharge nozzle adjacent to said jaws for discharge of glue to between the said portions of such strap when tively connected with said upper jaw and with said lower jaw and actuatable upon manually gripping said handles for moving said upper jaw toward said lower jaw to so clamp such strap portions, a lower shear plate rigid with said portions are between said jaws, said shear means in cluding a lower shear plate in a position for spacing said portions of said strap to permit said injection of glue therebetween;

6. In combination with an article to be strapped; a strap tightener and a strap clamping device and base plate supporting said clamping strap tightener and said clamping device against the upper side of said article, a strap disposed in one plane and extending around said article, said strap having portions in lapping relation extending past said tightener and said clamping device, said tightener including means for engaging and for moving said lapping portions relatively longitudinally of said strap in opposite directions for tensioning the article enclosing portion of said strap about said article and an extended portion of the lapping portions of said strap extending past said strap tightener and being free from the tightening influences of said tightener, and being over a part of the tensioned article enclosing portion of said strap, said clamping device being a pair of spaced opposed clamping jaws adjacent to said strap tightener, said extended portion and the portion of said article enclosing portion being betwen said jaws, said strap being a plurality of generally round paper cords adherently secured together in side by side parallel relationship extending longitudinally of said strap defining corrugations extending faces-of thesaid last mentioned portions tightly pressing the ridges on the opposedly directed surfaces of said last mentioned portions into-the grooves thereon for interlocking said last mentioned'portionsin adherent relation, said base plate, tightener and strap tightening device being released from said strap for removal therefrom after said end portions have been adherently secured together.

7. In a strapping device, a pair of clamping jaws pivotally connected for swinging one jaw relative to the other from an open position in which said jaws are spaced apart toward each other to a closed position in which they are in clamping relation to a pair of superposed strap portions adapted to be positioned between them, and vice versa, means connected with said one jaw for so swinging the latter, spacing means adjacent to said jaws adapted to space such strap portions when said jaws are in said open position, means for depositing a charge of glue between such spaced portions, said last mentioned means including an elongated nozzle projecting between said jaws to a point approximately centrally over the other jaw of said pair, means supporting said nozzle for swinging from its position projecting between said jaws to a position outside said jaws and vice versa,,said one jaw being in slidable engagement with said nozzle for so swinging said nozzle to said position outside said jaws when said jaws are moved to said closed position thereof, and yieldable means connected with said nozzle yieldably returning said nozzle to its position projecting between said jaws upon said one jaw being swung to said open position thereof.

8. In a strapping device, a pair of clamping jaws pivotally connected for swinging one jaw relative to the other from an open position in which said jaws are spaced apart toward each other to a closed position in which they are in clamping relation to a pair of superposed strap portions adapted to be positioned between them, and vice versa, means connected with said one jaw for s swinging the latter, spacing means adjacent to said jaws adapted to space such strap portions when said jaws are in said open position, means for depositing a charge of glue between such spaced portions, said last mentioned means including an elongated nozzle projecting between said jaws to a point approximately centrally over the other jaw of said pair, means supporting said nozzle for swinging from its position projecting between said jaws to a po'sition outside said jaws and vice versa, said one jaw being in slidable engagement with said nozzle for so swinging said nozzle to said position outside said jaws when said jaws are moved to said closed position thereof, and yieldable means connected with saidnozzle yieldably'returning said nozzle to its positionprojecting-r between said jaws upon said one jaw being-swung to said open position thereof, said nozzle being of'bendable: material adapted to be bent to dilferent positions to place its discharge end at different points over said other jawas desired;

9. In astrapping device, a pair of clamping jaws piv otally connected for swinging one jaw relative to the other from an open position in which said jaws are spaced apart toward each other to a closed position in which they are in clamping relation to a pair of superposed strap portions adapted to be positioned between them, and vice versa, means connected with said one jaw for so swinging the latter, spacing means adjacent to said jaws adapted to space such strap portions when said jawsare in'said open position, means for depositing a charge of glue between such spaced portions, said last mentioned means including an elongated nozzle projecting between said jawsto apoint approximately centrally over the other jaw of said pair, means supporting said nozzle for swinging from its position projecting. between said jaws to a position'outside said jaws and vice versa, said one jaw being in slidable engagement with said nozzle for so swinging said nozzle to said position outside said jaws when said jaws are moved to said closed position thereof, and yieldable means connected with said nozzle yieldably returning said nozzle to its position projecting between said jaws upon said one jaw being swung to said open position thereof, a source of glue supported in fixed relation relative to said other jaw and a flexible tube connecting said nozzle with said source, pump means connected with said source and with said tube including a manually actuatable member movable in opposite directions for delivering a predetermined charge of glue to said nozzle upon movement of said member in one direction, and means for adjustably limiting the degree of said movement of said member in said one direction for controlling the amount of glue so delivered to said nozzle for discharge from the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,040,493 Mardigian et al. May 12, 1936 2,085,082 Delany June 29, 1937 2,630,751 Cranston Mar. 10, 1953 2,724,424 Clayton et al. Nov. 22, 1955 2,833,170 Pachter May 6, 8

FOREIGN PATENTS 694,636 Great Britain Iuly22, 1953' 

